Instagram Feed

Battle Rages in Minnesota over Dogs Killed by Traps

The group Dog Lovers 4 Safe Trapping MN is continuing to push for legislation that would change trapping regulations in order to protect dogs. The group would like to see quick-kill Conibear traps either have to be set under water, or high up in trees and no longer be allowed on the ground. The group was formed after founder John Reynolds’ dog Penni was killed by a baited Conibear trap when he was out setting leghold traps for fox. Penni was the innocent victim in this scenario. She died instantly when the Conibear snapped shut on her windpipe and likely crushed her spine.

“Body grips remain the trap of choice for Minnesota’s estimated 5,000 trappers. Not because they’re more effective, but because they only have to be checked every three days, according to Reynolds, president of Dog Lovers 4 Safe Trapping MN. That sloth and the refusal to remedy it, he says, has already claimed hundreds of canine casualties over the years. You’ll hear various arguments against changing the ways trapping is done, but I’m telling you it’s because they don’t want to check their traps every day that’s really the driving force.”

The most shocking news of this story is that “according to a recent Department of Natural Resources survey of trappers, respondents overwhelmingly said greater regulation on body grips would hurt their ability to catch the likes of fisher, marten, and bobcats. Moreover, when asked if they were concerned about dogs dying accidentally, only 18 percent said yes.” That means that 82% of trappers are not concerned with dogs being killed by traps and snares! That’s a scary prospect considering that at any given time there are tens of thousands of traps on public lands used by everyone, including people with pets.

Dog Lovers 4 Safe Trapping MN will once again be pushing legislation to try and reform trapping laws in the state during the next legislative session.